Sam Heller | سام هيلر
@abujamajem.com
Researcher and analyst looking at Lebanon, Syria and the wider neighborhood. Century International Fellow. Former Crisis Group. "Jamajem" means ☠️.
www.abujamajem.com
www.abujamajem.com
Pinned
Sam Heller | سام هيلر
@abujamajem.com
· Nov 20
Lebanon and Syria’s Detainee Dilemma
The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last December was “like being released from prison,” Khalid said. Khalid, a young father from the town of
tcf.org
My latest for @centuryintl.bsky.social @tcfdotorg.bsky.social: On why it's difficult for Lebanon and Syria to strike a deal to repatriate Syrians held in Lebanese prisons, and what that says about the two countries' relationship going forward: tcf.org/content/comm...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
This is the second time in three months a DHS agent called a US citizen a "bitch" as he shot her. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whos-threa...
January 10, 2026 at 7:32 PM
This is the second time in three months a DHS agent called a US citizen a "bitch" as he shot her. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whos-threa...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
And Godzilla can help fix overcrowding and social isolation in Tokyo, but guess what? Godzilla is not interested in implementing coherent policies to achieve ends that serve the nation. He's a rapid onset complex disaster that follows a random path and leaves only irradiated rubble behind him.
Donald Trump can help topple the Iranian regime—if he acts swiftly and decisively and supports dissidents on the inside, Mark Dubowitz and Behnam Ben Taleblu argue:
Trump’s Unexpected Opportunity
The president can help topple the Iranian regime—if he acts swiftly and decisively.
bit.ly
January 10, 2026 at 4:39 PM
And Godzilla can help fix overcrowding and social isolation in Tokyo, but guess what? Godzilla is not interested in implementing coherent policies to achieve ends that serve the nation. He's a rapid onset complex disaster that follows a random path and leaves only irradiated rubble behind him.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
In terms of POTUS's threats against Colombia and Mexico specifically, I think the Christmas strikes in Nigeria may provide a template.
US officials may approach these countries and tell their governments:
"The boss demands performative military action. Work with us or we'll do it unilaterally."
US officials may approach these countries and tell their governments:
"The boss demands performative military action. Work with us or we'll do it unilaterally."
January 10, 2026 at 6:25 PM
In terms of POTUS's threats against Colombia and Mexico specifically, I think the Christmas strikes in Nigeria may provide a template.
US officials may approach these countries and tell their governments:
"The boss demands performative military action. Work with us or we'll do it unilaterally."
US officials may approach these countries and tell their governments:
"The boss demands performative military action. Work with us or we'll do it unilaterally."
Don’t know if SDF recognizes this, but it’s facing a version of the dilemma that Lebanon has encountered with the Trump administration – namely, it can no longer expect the United States to take its side in a confrontation with the new Syrian government.
I remain baffled by what cards the SDF thinks it possesses. It's been clear since 2014 that the US was never going to recognize their political project, seeing it only as a temporary military partner force. And so much of the outward rhetoric is aimed at an end of history world that doesn't exist.
January 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Don’t know if SDF recognizes this, but it’s facing a version of the dilemma that Lebanon has encountered with the Trump administration – namely, it can no longer expect the United States to take its side in a confrontation with the new Syrian government.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
"more training will solve this" is easily debunked by the fact that the killer was a trainer at ICE. It's a barrel of bad apples that exists to produce bad apples and the solution is you woodchip the barrel and compost the apples and try something else.
www.wired.com/story/ice-ag...
www.wired.com/story/ice-ag...
ICE Agent Who Reportedly Shot Renee Good Was a Firearms Trainer, per Testimony
Jonathan Ross told a federal court in December about his professional background, including “hundreds” of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions, according to testimony obtained by WIRED.
www.wired.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:29 AM
"more training will solve this" is easily debunked by the fact that the killer was a trainer at ICE. It's a barrel of bad apples that exists to produce bad apples and the solution is you woodchip the barrel and compost the apples and try something else.
www.wired.com/story/ice-ag...
www.wired.com/story/ice-ag...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
You don’t even need the Tronoto Holocaust Museum to tell you that this is a neo-Nazi anthem. Just listen to it.
They might as well be goose-stepping.
They might as well be goose-stepping.
January 10, 2026 at 12:27 AM
You don’t even need the Tronoto Holocaust Museum to tell you that this is a neo-Nazi anthem. Just listen to it.
They might as well be goose-stepping.
They might as well be goose-stepping.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
they didn’t leak it to make the shooter look innocent, but to make the victim look guilty. not guilty of a crime. guilty of having a visibly queer wife. guilty of liberalism. guilty of opposing the regime. they don’t seek to exonerate themselves, only to demonstrate who deserves to die.
In the video that the shooter took, which I believe was leaked to be exculpatory, he appears to yell “fucking bitch” after he shoots Renee Good.
January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
they didn’t leak it to make the shooter look innocent, but to make the victim look guilty. not guilty of a crime. guilty of having a visibly queer wife. guilty of liberalism. guilty of opposing the regime. they don’t seek to exonerate themselves, only to demonstrate who deserves to die.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
In a few months, we've progressed from snuff films of the US military killing civilians at sea to a snuff film of paramilitary secret police killing a mom in Minnesota—in both situations bogusly invoking "terrorism."
One of the obvious concerns about the administration's killing spree at sea was that if the US government would lawlessly kill people on the high seas just because the administration spuriously labeled them as "terrorists", it might do so elsewhere—including in the United States.
January 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
In a few months, we've progressed from snuff films of the US military killing civilians at sea to a snuff film of paramilitary secret police killing a mom in Minnesota—in both situations bogusly invoking "terrorism."
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
If they truly think the video makes the shooting seem justified, it’s because they believe summary execution is an appropriate punishment for “being a bitch” and they feel confident that many other men believe the same thing
The new video makes clear that
1) he told her to get out of the car, and ultimately shot her, because he wanted to punish her for making him feel small
2) she made him feel small, not because she was a threat to him or anyone else, but because she was not afraid of him
1) he told her to get out of the car, and ultimately shot her, because he wanted to punish her for making him feel small
2) she made him feel small, not because she was a threat to him or anyone else, but because she was not afraid of him
January 9, 2026 at 8:06 PM
If they truly think the video makes the shooting seem justified, it’s because they believe summary execution is an appropriate punishment for “being a bitch” and they feel confident that many other men believe the same thing
Syrian government has apparently created "Committee to Combat Illicit Gain" to more transparently pursue settlements with figures linked to former regime: igcc.gov.sy
Announced completion of settlement with Muhammad Hamsho earlier this week: igcc.gov.sy/news/20
Announced completion of settlement with Muhammad Hamsho earlier this week: igcc.gov.sy/news/20
لجنة مكافحة الكسب غير المشروع
igcc.gov.sy
January 9, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Syrian government has apparently created "Committee to Combat Illicit Gain" to more transparently pursue settlements with figures linked to former regime: igcc.gov.sy
Announced completion of settlement with Muhammad Hamsho earlier this week: igcc.gov.sy/news/20
Announced completion of settlement with Muhammad Hamsho earlier this week: igcc.gov.sy/news/20
Killer ICE agent was actually an Iraq war vet 😐 theintercept.com/2026/01/08/i...
January 9, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Killer ICE agent was actually an Iraq war vet 😐 theintercept.com/2026/01/08/i...
Apparently pro-Antoun Sehnaoui sources confirm to An-Nahar that Sehnaoui and Morgan Ortagus are romantically involved: www.annahar.com/lebanon/poli...
علاقة معلنة تجمع أورتاغوس وصحناوي 'الصهيوني'
مصادر تشير إلى أن ما يجري تداوله عن 'علاقة سرية' أو 'ملف مخفي' يدخل في إطار الاصطياد السياسي والإعلامي.
www.annahar.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Apparently pro-Antoun Sehnaoui sources confirm to An-Nahar that Sehnaoui and Morgan Ortagus are romantically involved: www.annahar.com/lebanon/poli...
Bissane El-Cheikh reports for Asharq al-Awsat on Christmas unease in Damascus suburb Dweil'ah, and on local security arrangements in Dweil'ah and neighboring Jeremana: aawsat.com/%D9%81%D9%8A...
مسيحيو سوريا... حراسة ذاتية وأعياد صاخبة لكسر «الخوف الطبيعي»
خيط رفيع يفصل بين مطلب سكان بـ«ضبط الأمن» من جهة، وندائهم الصامت بـ«الحفاظ على خصوصية المنطقة» من جهة ثانية في معادلة صعبة تشوبها جيرة قابلة للاشتعال في أي لحظة
aawsat.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Bissane El-Cheikh reports for Asharq al-Awsat on Christmas unease in Damascus suburb Dweil'ah, and on local security arrangements in Dweil'ah and neighboring Jeremana: aawsat.com/%D9%81%D9%8A...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
This rhetoric is depressingly familiar after focusing for many years on authoritarian contexts elsewhere.
Kristi Noem accuses the woman who was killed by ICE in Minneapolis of committing an act of "domestic terrorism"
January 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
This rhetoric is depressingly familiar after focusing for many years on authoritarian contexts elsewhere.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Sometimes I remember that, for whatever reason, one of the first sayings I learned studying Arabic was "مَن عزّ بزّ" – basically, "The strong take."
But obviously, this is not some uniquely Arab idea. Americans can grasp "the strong eat the weak" 🇺🇸 all on their own 🇺🇸.
But obviously, this is not some uniquely Arab idea. Americans can grasp "the strong eat the weak" 🇺🇸 all on their own 🇺🇸.
@michellegoldberg.bsky.social on the Trump administration's imperialist gangsterism: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/o...
Opinion | Don’t Call It Regime Change. This Is Something Else Entirely.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Sometimes I remember that, for whatever reason, one of the first sayings I learned studying Arabic was "مَن عزّ بزّ" – basically, "The strong take."
But obviously, this is not some uniquely Arab idea. Americans can grasp "the strong eat the weak" 🇺🇸 all on their own 🇺🇸.
But obviously, this is not some uniquely Arab idea. Americans can grasp "the strong eat the weak" 🇺🇸 all on their own 🇺🇸.
@michellegoldberg.bsky.social on the Trump administration's imperialist gangsterism: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/o...
Opinion | Don’t Call It Regime Change. This Is Something Else Entirely.
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:57 AM
@michellegoldberg.bsky.social on the Trump administration's imperialist gangsterism: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/o...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Syria & Egypt signed 2 MoUs for cooperation in the fields of gas and petroleum products.
The first MoU concerns supplying Syria with Egyptian natural gas for electricity generation, and the second MoU relates to covering Syria’s petroleum product needs.
sana.sy/economy/2367...
The first MoU concerns supplying Syria with Egyptian natural gas for electricity generation, and the second MoU relates to covering Syria’s petroleum product needs.
sana.sy/economy/2367...
سوريا ومصر توقعان مذكرتي تفاهم في مجال الغاز والطاقة
وقعت وزارة الطاقة السورية ووزارة البترول والثروة المعدنية المصرية، اليوم، مذكرتي تفاهم للتعاون في مجالات الغاز والطاقة والمنتجات البترولية، وذلك في إطار تعزيز التعاون الثنائي ودعم احتياجات سوريا من ال...
sana.sy
January 6, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Syria & Egypt signed 2 MoUs for cooperation in the fields of gas and petroleum products.
The first MoU concerns supplying Syria with Egyptian natural gas for electricity generation, and the second MoU relates to covering Syria’s petroleum product needs.
sana.sy/economy/2367...
The first MoU concerns supplying Syria with Egyptian natural gas for electricity generation, and the second MoU relates to covering Syria’s petroleum product needs.
sana.sy/economy/2367...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Thank you, Olya.
Good to be back on social for the hot takes and links to longer reads
Good to be back on social for the hot takes and links to longer reads
Welcoming my brilliant colleague @alissadecarbonnel.bsky.social to Bluesky. Follow her for Russia, Ukraine, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, Western Balkans, and European security and related issues write large. You won't regret it.
January 5, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Thank you, Olya.
Good to be back on social for the hot takes and links to longer reads
Good to be back on social for the hot takes and links to longer reads
@ajaltamimi.bsky.social for @syriatransition.bsky.social on the background and communal standing of Alawite cleric Ghazal Ghazal: www.syriaintransition.com/en/home/arch...
Syria in Transition – Faith, fear, and federalism
Alawite cleric Ghazal Ghazal has played a prominent role in mobilising protests along Syria’s coast, repeatedly calling on supporters to take to the streets. In recent weeks international media outl…
www.syriaintransition.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
@ajaltamimi.bsky.social for @syriatransition.bsky.social on the background and communal standing of Alawite cleric Ghazal Ghazal: www.syriaintransition.com/en/home/arch...
For @irishtimes.com, @sallyhayd.bsky.social profiles Hassan Akkad: www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...
‘The only way is up’: Meet Syria’s self-appointed minister of tourism
Hassan Akkad’s irreverent videos are a love letter to a liberated Syria - squat toilets and all
www.irishtimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:38 PM
For @irishtimes.com, @sallyhayd.bsky.social profiles Hassan Akkad: www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...
One account of how the Trump administration apparently intends to terrorize and subjugate Venezuela: edition.cnn.com/2026/01/04/p...
A clearer picture is emerging of what Trump meant when he said the US will ‘run’ Venezuela | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s administration is working quickly to establish a pliant interim government in Venezuela following the dramatic capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to US officials, prioritizi...
edition.cnn.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:44 AM
One account of how the Trump administration apparently intends to terrorize and subjugate Venezuela: edition.cnn.com/2026/01/04/p...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
I will be governing your country remotely via shitposting and late night threats on social media. If you don’t do what I say, I will blockade, bomb and eventually starve you. This is called freedom
January 5, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I will be governing your country remotely via shitposting and late night threats on social media. If you don’t do what I say, I will blockade, bomb and eventually starve you. This is called freedom
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Christ
Absolute cowards - Now that Trump has re-legitimized unilateral 19th century realpolitik, I wonder if they will hold the same position when Trump takes Greenland
January 4, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Christ